Highlights

History

In 1793, Major Jacob Wilhelm Depont decided to establish a glassworks deep in the forest, in Nuutajärvi. The roads were primitive, there were no railways yet, and hardly any tradition of glassblowing. But there was plenty of wood to fuel the glowing hot glass furnaces—and Depont had the determination to try.

His efforts paid off, as Finland’s most significant center for art glass grew out of what was once the middle of nowhere. Nuutajärvi is the oldest glass village in Finland, where glass has been blown continuously for nearly 230 years. The village’s oldest buildings date back to the 1850s, and the entire setting is designated by the Finnish Heritage Agency as a nationally significant built cultural environment.

In 1950, the village was literally ablaze. The glassworks caught fire. But from the ashes of the hot shop, Nuutajärvi rose to unprecedented international fame. Kaj Franck was appointed as Nuutajärvi’s artistic director, and soon after, Oiva Toikka joined as a designer.

When industrial glass production ended in 2014, a new era began in Nuutajärvi. Today, the Glass Village is home to many independent glassmakers and other professionals in art and craftsmanship.

The village offers open studios, shops, exhibitions, galleries, a restaurant café, a village hotel, as well as meeting and sauna facilities for visitors. The Design Museum Nuutajärvi introduces visitors to the history of glass and the village. The Tavastia Vocational College trains new generations of glass professionals here. Numerous events are held in the Glass Village throughout the year—from glass-themed happenings to concerts and yoga brunches. Glass is blown in several hot shops.

Nuutajärvi’s warm and creative community continues to spark new ideas in a traditional setting, nestled in forested nature—just like over 200 years ago.